Advising vessel owners, oil providers, financial organizations, and industrial manufacturers, the team at Holland & Knight remains active, handling the full range of regulatory and litigation matters in the shipping sector. In particular, the group has strength in advising on economic sanctions, the carrying of dangerous goods, and anti-trust compliance. Spearheading the practice is Christopher Nolan, who specializes in shipping disputes involving charter parties, fire and explosion, as well as insolvency. Working alongside him is Michael Frevola, whose expertise ranges from collision litigation to bankruptcy disputes. Washington’s Sean Pribyl is a key contact for maritime trade, having significant experience acting in matters involving the US Coast Guard, US Customs and Border Protection, and wider government agencies. With experience in matters before the courts of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Marie Larsen excels at advising in a range of commercial disputes, including breach of contract and business tort matters. Jody Schisel-Meslin rounds the team out in Seattle, noted for her work in National Transportation Safety Board investigations. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York, unless otherwise stated. Julia Haines retired in August 2025.

The maritime group at K&L Gates remains a strong choice for clients regarding policy and regulatory matters. In particular, the group excels in advising on US oil spill cases and APPS investigations. Other areas of expertise include vessel flagging, international trade, commercial disputes, and bilateral investment treaties. Advising on vessel documentation and citizenship, Michael Scanlon in Washington DC is well-versed in acting before federal agencies, the U.S. Congress, and federal courts. Also in DC, Mark Ruge specializes in federal government matters, representing clients on policy matters before Congress and federal agencies. Scanion and Ruge lead the team alongside London-based Clare Kempkens. For environmental compliance matters and Department of Justice investigations, George Kontakis in New York is a key contact. Frequently engaged in matters involving cargo vessel operators, Elle Stuart in DC, also has experience advising on emergency preparedness and response. Houston’s Hilary Soileau is a notable name in energy project matters. New York-based Tanner Honea joined from Freehill Hogan & Mahar LLP in November 2025. Jeffrey King retired in October 2025.

Leveraging a global presence, the Marine team at Clyde & Co LLP continues to advise a diverse client base, including international shipping companies, insurerers and commodity trading firms, on a broad array of marine insurance, litigation, and regulatory sanctions. The group is particularly regarded for its work in investigations involving casualties, criminal enforcement, and environmental compliance. John Woods has significant experience in handling insurers in litigation surrounding war risk, loss of earnings, and pollution matters, as well as being well-versed in arbitration, mediation, and alternative forms of dispute resolution. Woods leads the team alongside John Keough, who is a key contact for commercial litigation in the space, alongside undertaking matters regarding US economic sanctions. For charter party disputes, carriage of goods, and maritime personal injury matters, Laura Gongaware is a notable name. Further strengthening the team is Corey Greenwald, who specializes in insurance and commercial matters. The team acts from New York.

Continuing to advise on a diverse range of litigation and regulation matters, the Transportation & Trade group at Cozen O'Connor frequently represents major liner shipping trade associations, carrier alliances, ocean carriers, and equipment pools. The team’s litigation capabilities span commercial disputes, involving shipbuilding contracts and equipment leases, to casualties involving collisions and sinkings. On the regulation side, the firm excels at competition law issues, Jones Act mandates, and US sanctions. New York’s Geoffrey Ferrer is the first port of call for commercial disputes, including bankruptcies and marine casualty matters. In Washington DC, Robert Magovern is a key contact for antitrust and trade regulation issues, where he has experience before federal agencies, foreign governments, and international organizations. Also in DC, Matthew Howell advises on government investigations and trade export regulations. Magovern and Ferrer lead the group alongside Jonathon Foglia and David Heffernan, who are both based in DC. Jeff Vogel left the group in April 2025.

Freehill Hogan & Mahar LLP has a diverse shipping litigation and regulation offering, supporting a range of international insurance companies, shipping lines, and government offices. The group has experience handling major casualties and personal injury defence in this space, including occupational disease cases and workers’ compensation claims. Leading the group is Wayne Meehan, who has extensive experience working on casualty-related mandates and is well-versed in cargo claims and charter party disputes. Specializing in commercial litigation and cargo loss matters, Peter Gutowski has over thirty-five years of experience in litigation and arbitration. For matters regarding international commercial fraud and liner service contracts, Don Murnane is the first port of call. Eric Matheson is another notable name in the group, undertaking work involving environmental issues. Rounding out the team is Daniel Fitzgerald. The group is based in New York. Tanner Honea left the group in November 2025.

Jones Walker LLP‘s maritime group remains active, advising on a diverse range of matters, from insurance litigation to offshore wind initiatives. The team is particularly strong in citizenship matters, manning requirements, and environmental permitting. Grady Hurley is frequently engaged in a range of litigation matters involving collision, toxic tort, pollutions and explosions. For marine multiparty casualty cases, Jefferson Tillery is a key contact, and he also has extensive experience in marine insurance coverage disputes and charter party disputes. R. Scott Jenkins is a notable name in regulatory matters, advising on mandates involving the US Coast Guard, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and US Customs and Border Protection. Richard Bertram is the first port of call for marine pollution and casualty investigations. They jointly lead the team. Sara Kuebel is well-versed in commercial maritime matters. Rounding out the team is George Fowler, who is a seasoned litigator. The group is based in New Orleans.

The Maritime team at Liskow remains active, specializing in offshore oil and gas matters. The group boasts a casualty response team as well as having extensive experience in handling an array of personal injury, offshore collisions, toxic tort class action, and vessel construction matters. Other strengths of the team include salvage and wreck removal, where New Orleans-based David Reisman is a key contact. In Houston, Michael Golemi routinely undertakes a range of personal injury and death matters, as well as specializing in mass barge breakaway cases. Reisman and Golemi lead the team alongside New Orleans-based Raymond Waid. New York’s Michael Fernandez advises on the full gamut of maritime litigation, including marine casualties, environmental issues, and criminal investigations. Working alongside him in New York is Will Yost, who is a key contact for ocean carriers and truckers, where he handles damage matters, commercial disputes, and loss of property litigation. Rounding out the group in Houston is Jonas Patzwall.

Representing major publicly-held shipping companies, banks, private equity firms, and credit funds, the team at Seward & Kissel LLP excels at shipping business litigation and regulation. The group’s litigation experience spans advising on disputes arising from finance transactions, shipping securities, and vessel operations. Beyond this, the group has particular strength in supporting clients in navigating US sanctions, including providing counsel on prohibited activity, compliance policies, and license exceptions. Recent highlights for the group include obtaining a dismissal in a personal injury and property damage matter and representing publicly traded shipping companies in reviews before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. With particular strength in commercial disputes, Bruce Paulsen jointly leads the team and has experience handling piracy issues. Fellow Co-head Brian Maloney frequently undertakes matters on economic sanction compliance. Both Paulsen and Maloney practice in New York. Randall Adams joined the team in July 2025 from Roth & Zabel LLP. Michael G Considine left in July 2025, and Anne C Patin retired in March 2025.

Being a strong firm of choice for regulatory issues, the Maritime & Admiralty team at Winston Taylor has extensive experience before the Federal Maritime Commission. The group has expertise in offshore wind, with particular strength in applying the Jones Act ruling in this space and advising on acquisitions and broader regulatory matters. Other areas of strength for the team include advising on permitting, tax issues affecting foreign vessels, and environmental considerations. At the helm is Charlie Papavizas, who is well-versed in advising on US flag laws and regulations, including the application of the Jones Act to cargo, passenger, and vessel movements. Working alongside him is Bryant Gardner, who specializes in maritime government contract negotiations and disputes, including advising marine terminal operators, financing institutions, and port authorities. The group acts from Washington DC.

Representing a diverse range of clients, including shipping carriers, financial services, and energy companies, the Maritime and Admiralty Law team at BakerHostetler has particular strength in litigation surrounding shipping accidents. Recent work highlights for the group include representing a vessel owner in a salvage case involving the recovery of an external fuel cell from a NASA space shuttle and advising on the application of the Jones Act to offshore projects. In Washington DC, William Dougherty is noted for his work in disputes arising from vessel collisions and casualties. He leads the team alongside fellow DC-based John R. Fornaciari, who has over four decades of experience in antitrust matters. For customs issues, Matthew Caligur in Houston is a key contact. Also in DC, Sally Qin specializes in pre-acquisition due diligence.

Advising on a broad spectrum of litigation and regulation matters, the shipping team at Floyd Zadkovich frequently acts for vessel owners, P&I Clubs, insurers, and trading companies. The group routinely advises on sanction issues, as well as having particular strength in transactional work, managing contracts, and the sale and purchase of assets. In New York, Edward Floyd has extensive experience in advising on matters involving vessel collisions, alongside fraud and corporate veil piercing. Also in New York is Luke Zadkovich, who is well-versed in marine insurance matters. Chicago’s Timothy McGovern brings expertise in personal injury and wrongful death defence. They lead the team alongside New York-based Joseph Johnson. Eva Maria Mayer further strengthens the team with her experience in corporate contract disputes- she acts from New York.

With extensive experience advising clients on policy, regulatory, and legislative matters, the transportation team at Thompson Hine LLP remains active, handling contracting, detention charges, and trade union matters. Leading the team is Karyn Booth, who is frequently engaged by multinational shippers and freight forwarders on a diverse range of matters, including ocean service contracts, Federal Maritime Commission issues, and hazardous material compliance. Alongside this, Booth regularly serves as general counsel to the National Industrial Transportation League, advising on a range of issues, including the Shipper Bill of Rights and tariffs. Working alongside her is Jason D.Tutrone, who specializes in supporting clients in minimizing ocean transportation risk, as well as providing counsel on Federal Maritime Commission rules and Coast Guard regulations. The group is based in Washington DC.

Supporting a wide range of cruise lines, oil companies, and international P&I clubs, the team at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP advises on pollution claims, marine product liability, salvage, and multi-agency investigations. For matters involving marine environmental regulations and marine insurance, Jake Rodriguez is a notable contact. Mike Harowski frequently undertakes issues regarding oil spill response, as well as wider marine pollution matters. Rodriguez and Harowski jointly lead the New Orleans team alongside Antonio Rodriguez. Co-heading the team from Los Angeles is Otis Felder, who is the first port of call for vessel operators, port operators, and stevedores. Also co-heading the team in Miami is Raul Chacón, a seasoned trial attorney who has experience working on infectious disease matters and wider commercial disputes.